Osteospermum plant named &#39;DAOSSEKSTEN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’, characterized by being a compact cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape; very well branching (8-14 per plant) with stiff and strong lateral stems and small thick leaves; color of leaves green RHS 139A (upper side) and green RHS 137B (underside); ray florets with orange color (RHS 26A) on upper side; and disc florets that appear grayed brown (RHS N199A).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Osteospermum ecklonis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAOSSEKSTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy and and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermum cultivar with good garden performance, well branching growth, continuous flowering and an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Ostospermum cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2007, in Stige, Denmark. The female or seed parent is a yellow colored Osteospermum cultivar Sunny® ‘Shiela’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,066). The male or pollen parent is an orange colored Osteospermum ‘DAOSTOLV’ (patented, CPVO No. 2008/0604).

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by terminal cuttings was first performed in November, 2008 in Stige, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Osteospermum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape;

2. Very well branching (8-14 per plant) with stiff and strong lateral stems and small thick leaves. Color of leaves Green RHS 139A (upper side) Green RHS 137B (underside);

3. Ray florets with Orange color (RHS 26A) on upper side; and

4. Disc florets that appear grayed brown (RHS N199A).

Plants of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ differ from plants of the parents, Sunny® ‘Shiela’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,066) and ‘DAOSTOLV’ (CPVO No. 2008/0604) in the traits described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Varieties Female Parent Sunny ® Male Parent ‘Shiela’ ‘DAOSTOLV’ New Cultivar (U.S. patent (CPVO No. Trait ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ PP18,066) 2008/0604) Plant Size Height: About 13 cm. About 16 cm. About 17 cm. Diameter: About 16 cm. About 18 cm. About 20 cm. Overall Plant Globular upright to Upright to Upright to Shape: spreading, with very spreading, spreading, good basal and with basal with basal axillary branching. branching. branching. Stem Length: About 6 cm. About 7 cm. About 7 cm Diameter: About 5 mm About 5 mm. About 6 mm. Strength: Stiff and strong. Medium strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS 144A RHS 144C RHS 144A (yellow-green). (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Number of About 35. About 20. About 25. Inflorescence heads per Plant: Flower Size About 6.5-7 cm. About 7-8 cm. About 8.5 cm. Diameter: Mature Petal RHS 26A RHS 30A N167A (greyed- Color (orange). (orange-red), orange) with (upper surface): near base spots of 21C RHS N74B (yellow- (red-purple). orange). Color of disc RHS N199A RHS 59A RHS N200A florets (as they (greyed-brown). (red-purple). (brown). appear when sitting in composite flower head).

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ is the Osteospermum cultivar ‘Cape Daisy® Terracotta’, in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Variety Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Cape Daisy ® Trait ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ Terracotta’ Plant Size Height: About 13 cm. About 14 cm. Diameter: About 16 cm. About 17 cm. Overall Plant Shape: Globular upright Upright to to spreading, spreading, with very good with basal basal and branching. axillary branching. Stem Length: About 6 cm. About 3 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm About 5 mm. Strength: Stiff and strong. Medium strong. Color: RHS 144A RHS 144B (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Number of Inflorescence About 35. About 25. heads per Plant: Flower Size About 6.5-7 cm. About 8 cm. Diameter: Mature Petal Color RHS 26A (orange). RHS N25D (orange) (upper surface): Color of disc florets (as RHS N199A RHS 200A (brown) they appear when sitting (greyed-brown). in composite flower head).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical lateral stems with leaves and buds of ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the different leaf sizes of ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison between female parent Sunny® ‘Shiela (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,066), male parent ‘DAOSTOLV’ (CPVO No. 2008/0604) and ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’, (Breeders reference: 6445A).

FIG. 6 shows a comparison between ‘CAPE DAISY® Terracotta’ and ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’, (Breeders reference: 6445A).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ as grown in a glasshouse, equipped with heat, assimilation light and ebb/flood watering system in Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plants was grown in 14° C., with a venting temperature on 16° C. Assimilation light was given when natural daylight was below 3000 lux and the day length was extended to 16 hours. The EC levels in the soil, was kept at about 2.5-3.5 and pH around 6.0 during the production. Plant growth was regulated 3 times during the production period, using 3% Cycocel (chlormequat-chloride) as a drench (80-100 ml/pot).

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), Colour Chart 2001 edition, Color values were taken under March daylight conditions at approximately 10:00-14:00 in Stige, Denmark. The age of the ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ plants described is 12 weeks from potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) Norl. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Osteospermum cultivar designated             Sunny® ‘Shiela’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,066).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Osteospermum variety designated             ‘DAOSTOLV’ (CPVO No. 2008/0604). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminate cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 13 days             at 19 to 21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About             4 to 5 weeks at 18° (initiation period benefits from 19-21°             C.).         -   Rooting habit.—Vigorous, white to grayed yellow and well             branched. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Globular upright, with basal             branching. Inflorescences in composite heads. Freely             branching with lateral flowering branches forming at every             node.         -   Growth rate.—Growing about 1 cm per week during production             period.         -   Plant height.—About 12 cm to 15 cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 15 cm to 17 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires             4-5 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation             plug. After potting 12-14 weeks are required to produce             finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots. -   Stem:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—About 4 cm to 6 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 3 mm to 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144C. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with very good lateral             branching.         -   Number of branches per plant.—About 3-5 branches, spreading             into 18-20 lateral branches.         -   Length (including flowers).—About 11 cm to 12 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to spreading.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144C.         -   Internode length.—About 4 to 10 mm.         -   Internode color.—RHS 144A. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 8 to 12 per branch.         -   Length.—About 4 cm to 7 cm.         -   Width.—About 1 cm to 3 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Obovate to spatulate with 1 to 3             acuminate teeth on each side.         -   Shape at apex.—Obtuse.         -   Shape at base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Dentate (1-3 lobes on each leaf).         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Pubescent with scattered short,             stiff hairs. More hairs on the edges of leaf. Lower surface:             Pubescent with scattered short, stiff hairs More hairs along             veins and on the edges of leaf. Young leaves appear more             hairy than older.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower             surface: RHS 137C.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 139A. Lower             surface: RHS 137B.         -   Venation pattern.—Trinerved with veins along nerves.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 147B. Lower surface: RHS             146B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and shape.—Tubular disc floret and flat,             lanceolate ray florets in composite flower heads, developed             from terminal and axillary shoots. The peduncles lift the             Inflorescences 0-4 cm above the foliage. Inflorescences face             upright to 70° angle from vertical.         -   Natural flowering season.—Osteospermum is a bedding plant,             with a flowering season from early spring to late autumn.             Temperatures below 20° C. will increase flowering,             temperatures above 20° C. will reduce flowering.         -   Time to flower.—65 to 85 days.         -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will             maintain good color and substance for about 5-10 days;             however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly             dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence             persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about             30-40 buds and open inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Very discreet smell.         -   Bud (Inflorescences head).—Rate of opening (from showing             color to fully opened flower): 1 to 5 days. The rate of             opening is highly dependent on temperature and light             conditions. Length: About 12 mm. Diameter: About 10 mm.             Shape: Acuminate. Texture: Pubescent with small hairs.             Color: RHS 144A at base to 137A at apex.         -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:             About 3-5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: About 0-30° from             vertical. Strength: Medium strong. Texture: Pubescent with             small white hairs. Color: RHS 144A.         -   Inflorescence head.—Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 7-8             cm.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 20-24. Length:             30 mm Widths: 7-9 mm Overall shape: Spatulate Shape at apex:             Obtuse. Shape at base: Acute. Margin: Entire, small cleft at             apex. Texture: Upper surface: smooth, matt, slightly             furrowed. Lower surface: smooth, matt slightly furrowed.             Color upper side: RHS 26A. Color underside: Stripes of             various colors; RHS 168C, RHS N170A and RHS 178B.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 65-75.             Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color RHS 163A translucent             upper half, RHS 157A lower half.         -   Phyllary.—15-20. Length: 8-10 mm. Width: 1-2 mm. Overall             shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Narrow Acuminate. Base: Fused.             Margin: Entire. Color: RHS 137A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5             fused. Stamen length: About 5 mm. Anther shape: Linear,             fused. Anther length: About 2 mm. Pollen amount: Medium             amount. Pollen color: RHS 14A.         -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets Quantity: 1 Pistil             length: About 5 mm Stigma shape: Brush-like, cleft 1,5 mm             deep Stigma length: About 2 mm Stigma color: RHS N192A on             tip and along edges, rest N155A. Style length: About 3 mm             Style color: RHS 155A Ovary color: RHS 145B. -   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited     good tolerance rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may cease     during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low temperature     tolerance to 1 ° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’, as illustrated and described herein. 